On Monday, news broke that an unnamed 24-year-old man had accused Kevin Clash, who is the creator and puppeteer of Elmo on 'Sesame Street,' of engaging in a sexual relationship with him when he was 16. Today, that man has recanted his allegations.

Clash had initially responded by taking a leave of absence from the show to handle the allegations. He admitted the relationship had occurred, but said it was consensual and that the man was not underage at the time. The accuser admitted as much today through a statement from his law firm: “He wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship.”

Clash said this today through a spokesperson: “I am relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest. I will not discuss it further.”